Lessons learnt being a dealer.

I always thought being a dealer in a casino is easy as ABC. I always have this mindset that those who are spending their money signing up for courses tailored to casino dealers are stupid. And I always believe that everyone who is intelligent enough could be a dealer.

I was totally wrong with the mindset I've mentioned above. Being a dealer is no easy task, especially when you have to put on a professional image in front of the people who are playing. These people are not just here to win, but to pressurize the dealer till he go haywire and breakdown. These people would keep rushing you and making sure you are breaking in cold sweat. These people are what we call, gambler.

Today's event is all about what I just typed. My friends and I went to Marina South Pier to meet up with the Event Coordinator. He is a friendly chap. We discussed on who gets to do what before we board the ship. Everything was going perfectly well. I got the game, Black Jack. I know all the rules and regulations and am ready to give my best shot. We boarded the ship and set up our gambling stalls. These stalls that I'm talking about is perfectly legal because there was no involvement in monetary terms. These games are just for people who play purely for leisure. They need 'chips' to play the game.

Upon arrival at Marina South Pier.

Us with the friendly Event Coordinator.

It was a three stories high cruise. - The first level is for the people to have buffet. The second level is for the people to gamble and chit-chat. The third level is for the VIP to gamble and chit-chat. I was the first dealer to be bankrupt due to the high level of pressuring by the VIP and also, the noise level. I remembered running to the second level desperately to find 'chips' to save my Black Jack stall, but to no avail because every dealers were at the losing hand. I am so embarrassed when I ask the Event Coordinator to write me two IOU containing $14,000 and $20,000 chips respectively. My stall was the first one to wind up and thus, helping my partner in the 'Big Small' stall.

The bow ties are on.

Through this event, I learnt that Singaporeans are all risk takers. They would kill the banker with one 'showhand'. I also learnt that educational level has nothing to do with your behavior in public. They are all equipped with at least a degree but they speak in such uncivilized manner. However, there are some who would speak up for you if they are too much.

Having learn so many things in just 7hours of event really makes me a better person. At least I would not talk in an uncivilized manner and always treat everyone equally regardless of their qualifications. Last but not least, I would like to end this post with a quote from my Secondary School English Teacher.

"We must always aim as high as the sky, for as we fall, we would land on the clouds."

Farewell Panda!

Whenever I'm at Changi Airport, thoughts of those friends whom I see off came flowing through my head. It was always a sad event. Today was no different, Panda(Rabindra) was leaving for Australia, Melbourne to further his studies.

Panda!!

He was always a great student in class and a great friend outside. He likes to laugh a lot and that is why everyone was so comfortable having him around. His laughter never fails to warmth my heart. I still remember we had a 'heart to heart' talk during chalet'07. He told me lots of things. This really makes me touched as he treat me as a trusted friend. In my opinion, he's someone who hides his emotional feelings from others because he didn't like other people to worry about him. He always put himself in others' shoe so that he would not make anyone unhappy. I never seen him flare up at others before. He is a selfless boy who would do anything to make his friends' day a colourful one, I supposed. I never regret having him as a friend, I bet no one would ever regret.

The trusted friend!

There was the usual group sending him off in Terminal 3. We meet up together to give Panda a surprise as he do not know our plan yet. However when he saw us at the airport, he was not surprise. This is what I call real friend. Through so many years together as a group, he had understood us inside out, hence the normal look on his face. I could feel that he is sad and do not want to leave Singapore or us. We had our dinner together and it was a really fun one. There were little seats available, Emilia took the initiative to ask if she could bring some table over to our side so that we could sit together as a group. We chit-chatted a lot and kept asking when he would be back.

Last dinner with him.

Till Death do us apart.

Previously a very large group, now it has reduced its size to only a few people. Everyone is leaving Singapore for their home or future. Maybe one day, everyone would be back together and never leave each other. This group is just like a family to me and it saddened me to see so many of the members leaving. I strongly believe that distance would definitely make our friendship stronger and bonded together. Whatever it is, I know Panda would always remember this group of friends he once shared his joy and laughter with.

We will miss you!

Funs I had with ITE mates.

I'm getting more and more involved in my school lives. I adored my classmates and found them really fun to be with and that we unite as a class. Fun after fun, and I know there would be more to come.

Celebrated Rebecca's birthday in school, reckoned that she was touched by what we've planned. Whole class chipped in a dollar for the cab fare and the birthday cake. Few of our classmates then rush down to some places to get the cake during break. Kinda reminds me of my secondary school days as Meilinda would be the one planning the surprises for the birthday girl/boy. When everything was okay, everyone was called to the third level and Rebecca came too. Whole class was there. We sung her a happy birthday song. So enjoyable and fun. Our class recently found a common interest, which is to tease Wee Tiong, the shy boy of our class. Even our Class Advisor joined in the fun. The shy boy is afraid to talk to girls and he would shiver in fear if we push him towards the girls. Now because of him, our class is called as one.

The birthday girl, Rebecca.

Class photo with birthday girl.

Our class also joined the 'Nebo'08 Amazing Race.' Majority of my classmates were there when I turned up. I love the part where everyone looks at us when we cheered 'QD' before going our way. My group - Shawn, Eugene and Weijie came in earlier than the rest of the classmates. During the race, everyone kept telling me to endure and run. Due to the fact of being stubborn, we did not get any prize. It was my fault, I apologize for the lack of determination. I would definitely try harder next time. The race also let me realised that my classmates are very supportive and fun-loving. Like what I mentioned earlier on, they really unite as one.

Before the race started.

After the 'QD Cheer.'

I felt that I'm really lucky to be in this class. I hope that our friendship would keep blossoming and that we would always be a pillar to one another. Last but not least, I love QD.